RUS - Exciting times ahead for Gladkova

KLAIPEDA (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - Whatever happens in the coastal city of Klaipeda at the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women, Julia Gladkova will look forward to returning to her native Russia with real excitement.

A product of Sparta&K M.R Vidnoje, the former four-time EuroLeague Women champions have had to slash their player budget dramatically and that means now relying on a core of young Russian talent to carry the flag.

Gladkova is one of the emerging players who will be asked to mature quickly and stand toe-to-toe with the cream of world basketball talent, in what is shaping up to be another high-class Russian League campaign, alongside the inevitable challenge that EuroLeague Women brings to the table.

"Yes it's a great success for me that next year, I will be playing in the first team," agreed Gladkova.

"We will obviously play in EuroLeague Women and the Russian League and for me, it will be the first time.

"Although I expect it will be much heavier for me, both physically and psychologically.

"It won't be easy, but the harder the better, then you know you're going in the right direction."

The change in the locker room at Sparta&K isn't only on the playing side. There will be a different face holding the clipboard too, with American play-caller Pokey Chatman replaced by Russian Alexander Vasin, something else new for Gladkova to ponder.

"I can't say a lot, because I only had a small amount of time with coach Chatman, but she is a great specialist who knows her job well and treats it very seriously," she said in consideration of the coaching switch.

"As for the new coach, I'm not familiar with him, but I am glad that he is not a foreign specialist and is Russian."

When it comes to stepping out in Klaipeda, it isn't a new experience for Gladkova, who is no stranger to playing at the global level.

She played at the inaugural FIBA U17 World Championship for Women in Rodez and Toulouse three years ago - something she still recalls with a mixture of emotions, since Russia had to settle for sixth position and lost five of their eight games.

"Yes, it was the first tournament in this age category and it was new for everyone to play against opponents from different continents," she explained.

"Unfortunately in that Championship, we did well in the group stage but we couldn't win against Japan and gave fifth place away.

"I also remember I shared a room with Mariya Davydova, who currently plays in the NCAA with Florida International University.

"Despite some losses, I still have a lot of great memories of that tournament in France."

Gladkova and Russia were edged out 66-63 by Brazil on debut in Klaipeda on Thursday and now she must try to help her team bounce back in Group A against Serbia and Korea.

FIBA